Northwood Parish Council

Posted by Admin on 25 September 2010, 6:11 am

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Cllr JOHN PULLEN
Chairman:
86 Wyatts Lane, Northwood PO31 8PY
Tel: 01983 281250 ~ Email: pullenjd@hotmail.co.uk

Cllr PAUL FULLER JP CC
Vice Chairman:
74 Wyatts Lane, Northwood PO31 8QA
Tel: 01983 289595 ~ Email: paulfuller@onwight.net
Blog: www.paulfullercc.blogspot.com

Cllr COLIN CRAMP
Chair of Planning Committee:
37 Greenways, Northwood PO31 8AN
Tel: 01983 289996 ~ Email: colin.cramp@yahoo.co.uk

Cllr PATRICK BENTLEY:
95 Noke Common, Newport PO30 5TY
Tel: 01983 248287 ~ Email: pat.bentleyready@gmail.com

Cllr KEITH CLATWORTHY:
37 Pallance Road, Northwood PO31 8LW
Tel: 01983 296635 ~ Email: kclatworthy@googlemail.com

Cllr BRENDA CLEWS-CARTRIGHT:
5 Hogan Road, Newport PO30 5UE
Tel: 0794 663 3362 ~ Email: brendacc@hotmail.co.uk

Cllr JOHN FULLER:
380 Newport Road, Northwood PO31 8PP
Tel: 01983 246597 ~ Email: jlfnorthwood@gmail.com

BARBARA HERBERT
Parish Clerk & RFO:
11 Wyatts Lane, Northwood PO31 8QB
Tel: 01983 290086 ~ Email: barbara.herbert@sky.com

+ ONE VACANCY

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL REPORTS

The comments made in the following reports depict the views of the individual contributors, rather than the views of Northwood Parish Council.

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL ROUND-UP

At the meeting of the Parish Council on 7th September the following matters were covered:

That Graham Cotterill, having resigned, be co-opted as an independent voice to the Village Design Statement working party.

That in the matter of the three planning applications currently being considered (Hillis Gate Stables, land adjacent 263 Newport Road, and BAE Systems (Signposts), no material objections be raised.

That a request by planning to consider a change in the way councils are informed of planning applications be dealt with by e-mail/internet rather than the current ‘hard-copy by post’ system. It was felt that a copy of the plans should be forwarded, but all other matters could be dealt with electronically. A request regarding how much could be saved by doing this was also made.

Consideration was given to taking part in the Green Towns Project. Cllr Patrick Bentley would attend the Green Town Project presentation and report back to the council.

Parking in the area of the Travellers Joy was discussed; the council would keep a watching brief.

That a precept working party, consisting of Cllrs John Pullen, Paul Fuller, Colin Cramp and the clerk, Barbara Herbert be formed.

It was noted that the current allotment site is to be vacated at the end of September, and that the new site was proceeding well.

The council wished to thank everyone who had participated in, or made resources available to, the efforts to keep the planters watered during the dry spell. It was felt that this was a good example of a community supporting itself, and should be encouraged.

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENTS – Patrick Bentley

Village or Town Design Statements are an opportunity for local people to influence decisions on design and development in their own town or village. Correctly prepared and presented, a Village Design Statement (VDS) can provide a clear picture of a village or town, enabling planners to assess applications more sympathetically. It is not about whether development should, or should not, take place (this is covered in the Island’s Local Plan), but about how development should be managed in a manner sympathetic to the nature and character of the area as a whole. It is developed, researched, written, and edited by the people who live there, and is representative of the views of the village as a whole.
Part of its purpose is to describe the visual character of the village and its history, and to demonstrate how local character and distinctiveness can be protected and enhanced by any new development. It will be compatible with the statutory planning system and should be supported by the Island Council as supporting its Local Plan. It applies to all development, and is about managing change rather than preventing it.
Local people are best placed to identify the uniqueness of an area, in terms of its setting, character, and the nature of its buildings and open spaces. The Parish Council have considered the benefits of preparing a VDS, and have decided to go ahead. Anyone with an interest can become involved, and all representations are valid, and will be considered. This is a long term project, and will probably take 12 months or more to complete, (the average is between 12-24 months).
The lead councillor is Patrick Bentley, who can be contacted by e-mail at:
pat.bentleyready@gmail.com or Tel: 01983 248287

BONFIRES – Paul Fuller

During this time of the year, I always receive complaints about bonfires.
Environmental Health have a leaflet which is obtainable via Gurnard Parish Council’s website or via my blog paulfullercc.blogspot.com. Alternatively, please contact me, I will pop a copy in the post!
Summarised, the leaflet advises that there are no bye-laws preventing the burning of garden waste; however if a bonfire causes a nuisance with the smoke, fumes or gases being prejudicial to health then the local authority may intervene under the Environmental Protection Act (1990).
In practice, to be a statutory nuisance, a bonfire would have to be a persistent problem, interfering substantially with your well-being, comfort or enjoyment of your property.
Under the Highways Act 1980, anyone lighting a fire and allowing smoke to drift across a road may face a fine if it endangers traffic. If this is the case this then becomes a matter for the police.
If a bonfire is the best way for disposing of garden waste, follow these guidelines and the chances are you won’t cause a serious nuisance. (It is worth noting that when lighting a bonfire it would be best to advise your neighbours. In most instances neighbours don’t complain once contact is made!)

Only burn dry material.

• Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint.
• Never use old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or encourage it.
• Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions – smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening. If it is windy, smoke may be blown into neighbours’ gardens and across roads.
• Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays when people want to enjoy their gardens.
• Avoid burning when air pollution is high or very high. This can be checked by ringing 0800 556677.
• Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder – douse it with water if necessary.

Rather than lighting bonfires you can obtain inexpensive compost bins via the www.get.composting.com website (Tel: 0844 571 4444).

The Parish Council is to consider the co-option of a person to serve on Northwood Parish Council at a meeting to be held on 5 OCTOBER 2010.

Any persons wishing to be considered and who are eligible* should submit their application to the Clerk in writing, under their own signature by 29 SEPTEMBER 2010.

Prospective candidates may be asked to make a short presentation on how they can contribute to the Parish Council and the community of Northwood. This will be held prior to the meeting.

* A local councillor must be 21 years of age or over and a British subject or citizen of the Irish Republic. He/she must also be a local government elector of the Parish or a person who has:
i. During the whole of the 12 months before nomination occupied land or premises as owner or tenant in the parish or,
ii. During the same period resided in the Parish, or within 3 miles thereof or,
iii. During the same period had his/her principal or only place of work in that area.

VENNER AVENUE PLAY AREA

Work is now underway on the play area in Venner Avenue, with some of the facilities already installed. Although the area will be ‘out of bounds’ until the work is finished and approved, it is already showing signs of being a great success. Thanks should be given to all those involved, in particular Barbara Herbert (Parish Clerk), and Cllrs John Pullen and Colin Cramp for their time and effort in seeing this venture through to fruition. All things running to time, and weather permitting, work should be completed by the end of September.